small businesses are the heart of the community

I spent the last week traveling in Iowa.  What I realized as I drove through the towns that were so vibrant when I was a kid, was that those that continued to thrive were the communities where they still had a strong mix of small businesses.  The mix of small businesses offering full-service offerings within the community is critical.  This reminds me that competition is good.  Variety is important.  People need to have complete services.  Complementary businesses should be encouraged to help your own business grow.  So as a small business, helping your fellow small businesses grow can help you also gain momentum within your own market.